Synonyms of actuate

actuate

verb

ˈak-chə-ˌwāt 

1

as in to activate

to cause to function

a light actuated by a motion detector

the alarm system actuates the door locks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• activate
• trigger
• spark
• drive
• power
• move
• generate
• start
• fuel
• set off
• ignite
• provoke
• push
• turn on
• crank (up)
• run
• touch off
• switch
• charge
• energize
• stimulate
• fire
• electrify
• launch
• turn over
• release
• reactivate
• discharge
• excite
• accelerate
• arouse
• incite
• kick over
• instigate
• catalyze
• recharge
• trip
• quicken
• stir up
• vitalize
• speed (up)
• step up
• jump-start
• kick-start

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• kill
• cut
• shut off
• cut out
• stop
• brake
• check
• turn off
• stick
• cut off
• deactivate
• halt
• draw up
• arrest
• suppress
• repress
• slow
• stall
• jam
• decelerate
• stunt

2

as in to move

to set or keep in motion

hearing depends on sound vibrations that actuate the complex mechanism of that sensory organ, the ear

Synonyms & Similar Words

• move
• drive
• activate
• propel
• impel
• work
• trigger
• stimulate
• motivate
• provoke
• raise
• incite
• stir (up)
• foment
• abet
• set off
• whip (up)
• rouse
• ferment
• excite
• inspire
• instigate
• galvanize
• fire (up)
• arouse
• inflame
• trip
• enflame

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regulate
• control
• contain
• restrain
• check
• inhibit
• constrain
• curb
• rein (in)
• bridle

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb actuate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of actuate are drive, impel, and move. While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

When could drive be used to replace actuate?

The synonyms drive and actuate are sometimes interchangeable, but drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

Where would impel be a reasonable alternative to actuate?

The words impel and actuate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

When is it sensible to use move instead of actuate?

In some situations, the words move and actuate are roughly equivalent. However, move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

Examples of actuate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other teams favored a physical interface, strapping the operator into hardware (almost like a robotic exoskeleton) that could read their motions and then actuate the limbs of the avatar robot to match, while simultaneously providing force feedback. —IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2023

The feature is actuated when the driver floors the throttle and can be used up to 30 times before the battery is depleted. —Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 29 June 2023

So the action potential is the electrical mechanism by which the nervous signal travels, either to actuate motion at the behest of your intent or to gain sensation and sort of perceive the world around you. —IEEE Spectrum, 23 May 2023

He is actuated entirely by vibrations of the human voice. —Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2023